Monday, September 29, 2014

Community Welcomed to Meet Nationally-Renowned Authors at Writers Reading Series

Trent University English department hosts weekly series of author readings at Traill College, offering intellectual engagement in relaxed setting

Monday, September 29, 2014, Peterborough, ON

Jane Urquhart, officer of the Order of Canada and Governor General’s Award winner, is just one of eight distinguished members of the Canadian literary scene who will visit Peterborough this fall as part of the 26th annual Writers Reading Series, hosted by Trent University’s department of English Literature.

Beginning on Wednesday, October 1, the free weekly series will bring award-winning and world-class authors to Traill College in downtown Peterborough for literary readings, critical and practical discussions, and casual conversation. All members of the community are invited to take advantage of this opportunity to see, hear, and meet these celebrated writers.

As befits the range and scope of Canada’s literary landscape, the authors featured in the Writers Reading Series represent a wide range of styles and genres, and cover extensive emotional and intellectual ground. The reading events showcase the writers’ talent and stimulating work within a laid-back, humorous environment.

Each of the readings begins at 7:00 PM in the Scott House Junior Common Room at Catharine Parr Traill College, 310 London Street, to be followed by snacks and witty banter at The Trend Pub. The Writers Reading events are part of the Barbara Rooke Lecture Series, and have been made possible with additional support from the Frost Centre for Canadian & Indigenous Studies, the departments of Canadian Studies, English Literature and Cultural Studies, the Public Text program, and the Nind Fund.

Please visit www.trentu.ca/english or www.facebook.com/writersread for more information about the Writers Reading series and for the full listing of events and authors.

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Lewis MacLeod, professor, Department of English Literature, Trent University
(705) 748-1011 ext. 6022 or english@trentu.ca; or,
Patricia Heffernan, administrative assistant, Department of English Literature, Trent University
(705) 748-1011 ext. 7733 or pheffernan@trentu.ca

A Night to Remember: Chancellor’s Gala Starts Trent 50th Anniversary Weekend in Style

Fabulous gala evening, historical parade and ceremony, and one of a kind variety show open to entire community October 17-18, 2014

Monday, September 29, 2014, Peterborough

Building on the momentum that began with the 50th Anniversary Kick Off and Alumni & Friends Reunion Weekend in August, Trent University continues the year of celebrations with a spectacular series of events on October 17 and 18, 2014.

“Trent’s 50th anniversary year provides all of us – community supporters, alumni, students, faculty and staff – with an exciting opportunity to both celebrate our collective accomplishments and build a foundation for the next 50 years of success,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “I hope to have the opportunity to meet many more members of our community at the many special events taking place in October and throughout the year.”

As part of a year-long celebration taking place over the course of the 2014/15 year, the events on the weekend of October 17-18 honour the exact date of the original opening ceremony of Trent University at Rubidge Hall, Trent’s first home, in 1964. Trent will be re-creating that ceremony with a Community Parade, starting at the corner of Rubidge and Simcoe Streets, welcoming everyone to come out and wear their Trent green. Bring the entire family to this free community event and enjoy live music, children’s activities and special presentations sponsored by the City of Peterborough, one of Trent’s many founding partners.

The weekend will also feature two unique and memorable events, starting with the Chancellor’s Gala, an opportunity to celebrate Trent’s past, present and future with some of the University’s most distinguished alumni and friends, including bestselling author Linwood Barclay ’73, the evening’s Master of Ceremonies, and Chancellor Don Tapscott ’66. The following night, Trent alumni, students, friends and celebrity guests will bring the history of the University to life through “Trent @ 50: In Story & Song,” an original production by Beth McMaster and Gillian Wilson. With clever renditions of iconic songs from the 1960s to the 2000s, Peterborough improv stars the Citiots, and the entertainment debut of Trent’s new president, Dr. Leo Groarke, this special performance at Showplace is one you won’t want to miss.

To learn more about the anniversary celebrations, please visit trentu.ca/fifty and follow @TrentUniversity and #Trentu50 on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Please see below for details and ticket purchase information about the Chancellor’s Gala, Community Parade and Trent @ 50: In Story & Song.

ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND – OCTOBER 17-18, 2014

50th Anniversary Chancellor’s Gala: Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence
Friday, October 17, 2014, 6:00 – 11:00 p.m. – Trent Community Sport and Recreation Centre
Experience a night to remember. Chancellor Don Tapscott ’66 and Master of Ceremonies bestselling author Linwood Barclay ’73 will welcome hundreds of special guests to celebrate Trent’s past, present and future on this milestone occasion. Enjoy dinner and live musical entertainment with the music of “now and then.”
Tickets: $125.00 + applicable taxes, available at trentugala.eventbrite.ca

Community Parade & Celebration
Saturday, October 18, 2014, 1:00 p.m. – Rubidge Street, from Simcoe to Sherbrooke Streets
Everybody loves a parade – and what would a parade be without the whole community? To thank and celebrate Trent’s founding partner, the community, join a re-creation of the original opening ceremonies held 50 years ago. Wear your Trent green, join us at the corner of Rubidge and Simcoe Streets for the parade and stay for the official ceremony in front of Rubidge Hall, Trent’s original home, featuring live music, a plaque unveiling, presentations from community members, kid’s activities and more. After the event, be sure to take your event program to one of the participating restaurants downtown and enjoy an exclusive Trent discount.

Trent @ 50: In Story & Song
Saturday, October 18, 2014, 8:00 p.m. – Showplace Performance Centre
Laugh, cry and be surprised! Re-live Trent University’s first 50 years through this original and entertaining production. For one night only, Trent alumni, students, friends and celebrity guests will bring the history of Trent to life through stories, music and pictures from each remarkable decade. Written by Beth McMaster with new lyrics by Gordon Johnston, and directed by Gillian Wilson.
Tickets: Adults $30 / Students $20, available at trentu.ca/fifty/events or Showplace Box Office 705-742-7469

Reunion & Celebration for the Classes of '64 & '65
Saturday, October 18 – Sunday, October 19, 2014 – Trent University Campus
Members of Trent's first two classes are invited to a reunion reception and buffet dinner at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 18 at the Great Hall at Champlain College. The classes of ’64 and ’65 are also invited to a brunch at 10:30 a.m. hosted by the Trent University Alumni Association and campus tours from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 19. Full event line-up and registration information available at trentu.ca/fifty/events.
Tickets: Reception and Dinner, $60; Alumni Brunch, free

Trent Idea Exchange: Community Lecture Series
September 2014 – April 2015
Join Trent University faculty and visiting experts for stimulating lectures, engaging panels, and interactive discussions on a wide array of subjects throughout the year, sponsored by the Trent University Faculty Association. Community members are welcome to attend lectures in the Peterborough and Durham regions, as well as select events in Toronto and Ottawa. These unique events include the Elaine Stavro Distinguished Visiting Scholar in Theory, Politics & Gender on October 14; the David Morrison Lecture in International Development on October 28; and the Stairs Lecture in Chemistry on November 5.
Tickets: Free; full listings of dates, locations and times at trentu.ca/fifty/events

Fifty Talks for Fifty Years
September 2014 – June 2015
As part of Trent's 50th anniversary celebration in the 2014/15 academic year, the Trent University Faculty Association is organizing a series of 50 talks in local schools. The school-based talks are free, and are designed to give back to the community by sharing ideas and discussion with the next generation. For more information, please visit trentu.ca/50talks.

Ron Thom and the Allied Arts: National Exhibit
Open until Sunday, October 19, 2014 – Alumni House, Trent University
Visit Alumni House to take in this national traveling exhibit of selected art, architecture, and design showcasing the legendary works of Trent University’s master planning architect. Exhibit admission includes self-guided walking tour. Exhibit hours available at trentu.ca/fifty/events.
Admission: Suggested donation of $10 per person

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

National Survey Shows Outstanding Student Engagement at Trent University

2014 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) results show high ratings from Trent students for quality of learning and interactions with faculty

Tuesday, September 23, 2014, Peterborough, ON

Trent University’s commitment to providing a personal, purposeful and transformative learning experience for students continues to result in student engagement metrics that surpass the provincial average, according to the 2014 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE).

Trent first-year students indicated higher engagement levels and rated their educational experience as the same or higher than the average for Ontario in seven of ten categories:

  • Higher-Order Learning
  • Reflective & Integrative Learning
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Student-Faculty Interaction
  • Effective Teaching Practices
  • Quality of Interactions
  • Supportive Environment

Senior-year students have an even more positive response rate, above the Ontario average in eight of ten categories, including Learning Strategies.

In Reflective & Integrative Learning, both first-year and senior-year Trent students rated their experience higher than the average as compared to competitor institutions. Senior-year Trent students also responded more positively than their peers at competing institutions in Quality of Interactions and Supportive Environment.

“The latest NSSE results confirm what our students, faculty, staff and alumni have been telling us for years: that Trent’s collaborative approach to learning, and how we empower students to take an active role in their own education, is key to their success,” said Dr. Gary Boire, provost and vice president academic, Trent University.

“I am proud to share Trent’s outstanding results in student engagement, demonstrating the University’s well-known strength in providing the faculty interaction and diverse, integrated learning experiences that students look for,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice chancellor, Trent University.

The NSSE annually collects information at hundreds of four-year colleges and universities across North America about student participation in programs and activities that institutions provide for their learning and personal development.

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Trent University Continuing Education Program Takes On the Internet

Dr. Michael Eamon appointed as new director, announces exciting Technology Learning Series courses for Fall 2014 

Tuesday, September 23, 2014, Peterborough

Trent University’s Continuing Education program takes on the world of the Internet with its Fall 2014 Technology Learning Series of course offerings beginning on Tuesday, October 14.

Technology moves at a fast and exciting pace, with digital and online platforms taking an increasingly crucial role in communication, media, business and education. This fall, Trent will offer eight workshops in a weekly series themed around Modern Technology, designed to share information about what the latest technologies can do for users, what to avoid, and how to enjoy tools such as social media, websites, computers and cell phones.

The Continuing Education courses are open to all community members with an interest in expanding their computer skills to better navigate the digital world.

“Continuing Education is a great way for lifelong learners in the Peterborough area to engage with Trent University,” said Dr. Michael Eamon, principal of Trent’s Catharine Parr Traill College and newly-appointed director of Continuing Education. “This year we are revisiting our course offerings and fee structures to bring the public great non-credit courses that will enlighten, entertain and even challenge the way you think.”

Trent’s Continuing Education program aims to bring the joy of life-long learning to the entire community, providing a range of courses to individuals of all ages; no prerequisites are required. The Technology Learning Series was developed and sponsored by Trent’s Computing and Information Science Department. In January 2015, Prof. Eamon plans to launch an expanded program with a new selection of community-oriented courses that reflect the interests of Peterborough area residents.

All courses for Fall 2014 are offered at Trent University’s Symons Campus, just minutes from downtown Peterborough and accessible via Water Street and Armour Road. For registration and further information about the program, please visit trentu.ca/continuingeducation.

Fall 2014 Continuing Education Courses: Modern Technology

  • How to buy a computer
  • How to use a computer - Part 1
  • How to use a computer - Part 2
  • Social Media - Part 1
  • Social Media - Part 2
  • Security in the Internet
  • Cell Phones
  • How to Create a Website

Register online at www.trentu.ca/continuingeducation

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For more information, please contact:
Professor Michael Eamon, director, Continuing Education and principal, Traill College
705-748-1011 ex. 6218 or michaeleamon@trentu.ca

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Community Welcomed to Installation of Trent University’s 8th President and Vice-Chancellor

Guests from community and other universities to celebrate as Trent Chancellor Dr. Don Tapscott and Board of Governors formally bestow the role of university president upon Dr. Leo Groarke

Tuesday, September 16, 2014, Peterborough, ON

Members of the Peterborough community and beyond are invited to join faculty, staff, students, visiting dignitaries and special guests at a ceremony for the installation of Dr. Leo Groarke as Trent University's 8th president and vice-chancellor on Monday, September 22, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. on the University Court outside of the Bata Library.

Dr. Don Tapscott, Trent chancellor, will welcome guests from the community and representatives of other universities to the ceremony. The Trent Madrigal Choir will sing the anthem and indigenous group Unity will perform the Honour Song. Following the oath of office, administered by Trent Board of Governors chair Bryan Davies, and the investiture of the new president with the robes of office, Dr. Groarke will address the community and share his vision for the future of the University.

The installation ceremony holds significant meaning for Trent University, as it is the moment when the new president is formally endowed with the powers and responsibilities of his or her office. The ceremony will include several symbolic acts and gestures, many of which are derived from traditions at universities the world over that date back almost a thousand years, such as: the wearing of academic regalia; a procession of academic dignitaries; official greetings from special representatives; and bestowing the ceremonial robe of office.

The ceremony will begin with the procession of Trent University faculty, Board of Governors, members of Senate, dignitaries of other universities and community representatives. The members of the procession wear academic regalia, derived from the long robes and cowls worn by monks and students in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The various colours of the gowns worn today represent the degree held by the wearer and the institution awarding it.

Trent’s presidential installation ceremony will also include the Condolence Cane, a gift to the University from the Trent Aboriginal Education Council carved by the late Chief Jake Thomas of the Cayuga Nation, who was also a Trent professor. The cane is a symbolic representation of the governance structure of the Haudenosaunee (People of the Longhouse). For Trent, the Cane represents the academic governing power of the Senate, the interdependent nature of the University community, and the search for knowledge in the interests of justice, equality and peace.

Before joining Trent University, Dr. Groarke was the vice president, academic and provost at the University of Windsor. He pursued graduate work at the University of Calgary where he completed his Master of Arts degree in Philosophy. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree at the University of Western Ontario. He has held academic appointments at Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Windsor. Throughout his academic career, he has assumed progressively responsible leadership roles including professor, department chair, assistant dean of program development, dean of Brantford campus, principal and vice president of Brantford campus and provost and vice president academic.

For more information please visit: www.trentu.ca/installation.

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Trent University Launches Bachelor of Social Work Program to High Demand

Interdisciplinary B.S.W. program meets the needs of incoming students and the local communities they will serve

Tuesday, September 16, 2014, Oshawa, ON

Trent University has unveiled a new Bachelor of Social Work program for the Fall 2014 semester, answering the call of both aspiring Social Work students and the local agencies that need them. Over 200 students begin the inaugural four-year program this month at Trent’s campuses in Peterborough and Durham, starting their journey toward making a difference in local communities through clinical knowledge, social justice and the development of critical thinking skills.

The Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) is a true reflection of Trent University’s commitment to social justice, according to program director Dr. Susan Hillock. “The program will focus on the philosophical stance of acting to make change in the world and improving conditions for equality and social changes,” Prof. Hillock said.

Dr. Tara La Rose joins Trent University this fall to spearhead the B.S.W. program at the Durham campus. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in post-secondary education to her new role at Trent, including 12 years of direct social work practice in areas ranging from homelessness to domestic violence. Prof. La Rose’s graduate and doctoral work focused on the professional tradition of community development, and she is excited to bring her expertise to the new B.S.W. program.

“Trent’s commitment to community-based scholarship and experiential education as well as the University’s renowned International Development, Indigenous Studies and Environment Studies programs all tap into a number of emerging trends in social work education and practice,” Prof. La Rose said. “This unique combination of resources suggests Trent has the capacity to deliver a B.S.W. program that will play a significant role in advancing the profession in a number of greatly needed areas.”

The religious, cultural and linguistic diversity in Oshawa offers a depth of experience for social work students. The strong social service sector in Oshawa will serve students well as they undertake hands-on learning with agencies in the area. Social workers currently in the field will assist by serving as teachers, graders and as members of community advisory groups.

In the first two years of the inter-disciplinary program, students study a wide range of Humanities and Social Sciences to gain a solid foundation and self-identify their compatibility with the demanding field. After undergoing an application process, fifty students will continue on to the professional studies component of their degree in third and fourth year. Selected students will complete 700 hours of required clinical placement.

The program is currently open to secondary students who will study Social Work and Social welfare in the first year. Due to a tremendous demand from established social workers already in the field, Trent hopes to expand the program to professionals who are also seeking their Bachelor or Masters of Social Work.

“We have had an amazing number of applications and lots of inquiries from professionals in the community,” said Prof. Hillock.

Please see the program details online at: http://www.trentu.ca/socialwork/

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For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Kate Ingram, government and community relations officer, Trent University Oshawa
905-435-5102 ext. 5022 or kateingram@trentu.ca

Friday, September 12, 2014

A Canadian Symbol of Hope: Understanding the Meaning of Terry Fox's Legacy

Dr. Jenny Ellison recently joined Trent University as an assistant professor in the Department of Canadian Studies, and is already making a name for herself by sharing her research on one of Canada’s most iconic heroes.

As part of her research on physical fitness and body image in contemporary Canadian culture, Prof. Ellison will present her latest work on Terry Fox’s impact on national identity at a public talk at Mount Allison University and the Versions of Canada conference in Charlottetown later this month. On Sunday, September 14, Prof. Ellison will also be speaking at the Terry Fox Run in Peterborough.

“Terry Fox is a unique figure in the Canadian story, because his achievements were recognized in their own time,” Prof. Ellison said. “He made patients’ struggles with cancer public in an unprecedented way. People were only beginning to talk about cancer openly at this time and he put a public face on the disease.”

Terry Fox was a university student when he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, and had his right leg amputated shortly after the diagnosis. In April of 1980, he began the “Marathon of Hope” – a 26-mile-a-day cross-Canada run to raise money and generate publicity for cancer research. The run gradually generated more and more public attention, and Terry was deemed a hero and incredible for his remarkable achievement. By September, Terry’s cancer had returned, causing the run to end; the media carried regular reports on his health. When he died on June 28, 1981, he had raised $24 million for cancer research.

Prof. Ellison’s research examines Terry Fox’s role in Canadian nationalism and “unifying influence”. Fox was described not only as a hero but also as a man who joined Canada together at a time when Canada was growing farther and farther apart. Nationalism was a key part of the public conversation of the late 1970s and early 1980s, as Canadians grappled with the rise of the Parti Quebecois and the referendum of 1980. In the contemporary context, Fox is celebrated for his tenacity, but in 1980 and 1981 Canadians viewed the Marathon of Hope through the lens of nationalist debates. People believed that he was representative of shared Canadian values, and saw the Marathon as a symbol of hope in a dark period of Canada’s history.

“There is one part of his message that people often forget. His core message in undertaking the run was that he wasn’t special,” said Prof. Ellison. “The marathon got everyone’s attention, and his story was so human, that it immediately captured the imagination of many Canadians.”

Trent Graduate Part of Team Who Found Lost Franklin Expedition Ships

Dr. Douglas Stenton '80, Nunavut director of heritage, part of historic discovery of Franklin shipwreck

As the world marvels at the discovery of one of the two lost ships of the Royal Navy’s Franklin expedition, Trent University congratulates Dr. Douglas Stenton ’80, a graduate of the M.A. program in Anthropology, for his key involvement in this historic moment.

Since 2008, the Government of Nunavut has been one Parks Canada's key partners in the search for the wrecks. Dr. Stenton, archaeologist and director of heritage for the Government of Nunavut, has led terrestrial site surveys on King William Island, Adelaide Peninsula and other locations in a search for evidence of the wrecks.

In 2014, Dr. Stenton’s team discovered two artifacts that played an integral role in the recently announced discovery by Parks Canada of the wreck of one of the Franklin vessels. Dr. Stenton’s team discovered the artifacts on an island in eastern Queen Maud Gulf, one of which was unquestionably from a Royal Navy ship. No such artifacts had been found in the area since the late 1800’s. Based on the discovery, Parks Canada’s marine archaeologists shifted their sonar surveys to the area near the island and quickly discovered the wreck.

“The Government of Nunavut is delighted to have made a major contribution to this historic discovery, which was the direct result of the close collaboration and sharing of expertise and resources between the Government of Nunavut, Parks Canada, Canadian Coast Guard and the Canadian Hydrographic Service,” said Dr. Stenton. “On a personal level, it was an extraordinary experience and a major highlight of my 30-plus years of conducting archaeological research in Nunavut.”

Dr. Stenton will be returning to Trent University on Saturday, October 25, 2014 as one of the distinguished Anthropology alumni who will be sharing their on-going research at an Archaeology Symposium. Dr. Stenton will be speaking about the Government of Nunavut’s involvement in the search for the Franklin wrecks, as part of the celebration of Trent’s eminent graduates’ contributions to the anthropological field. The event is supported by the Bagnani Trust, Trent University’s Vice President Strategic Initiative Fund, and the Trent University Archaeological Research Centre (TUARC).

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Trent University President Hosts Reception for Community Members at Oshawa Campus

Dr. Leo Groarke to give inaugural speech as Trent’s 8th president and vice-chancellor at community gathering

Tuesday, September 9, 2014, Oshawa, ON

Trent University Oshawa welcomes community members to a Community Reception featuring Dr. Leo Groarke’s inaugural speech as Trent’s 8th president and vice-chancellor on Monday, September 15, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 55 Thornton Road South.

Joe Muldoon, head of Trent University Oshawa, will introduce President Groarke, whose speech will share his thoughts upon joining Trent University and his vision for the future. Community members are invited to attend for the remarks, followed by an informal reception with refreshments.

Before joining Trent University, Dr. Groarke was the vice president, academic and provost at the University of Windsor. He pursued graduate work at the University of Calgary where he completed his Master of Arts degree in Philosophy. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree at the University of Western Ontario. He has held academic appointments at Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Windsor. Throughout his academic career, he has assumed progressively responsible leadership roles including professor, department chair, assistant dean of program development, dean of Brantford campus, principal and vice president of Brantford campus and provost and vice president academic.

Guests are asked to RSVP at trentu.ca/oshawa/reception.

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For more information, please contact:
Kate Ingram, government and community relations officer, Trent University Oshawa
905-435-5102 ext. 5022 or kateingram@trentu.ca

Monday, September 8, 2014

Trent University Featured in “Innovation Zone” at Chamber of Commerce Prosperity Trade Show

Fascinating research, student career development, and community engagement with local businesses to be showcased at Trent booth

Monday, September 8, 2014, Peterborough, ON

Trent University will be a featured organization in the Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster’s “Innovation Zone” at the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s Prosperity Trade Show on Wednesday, September 10, 2014, from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Morrow Building, next to the Peterborough Memorial Centre at 151 Lansdowne Street West.

As Peterborough's largest business-focused event, the show is an opportunity for Trent University to showcase its innovations in teaching, research, student engagement and community outreach. The “Innovation Zone” hosted by the Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster (GPIC) gathers  Peterborough's newest and brightest innovators and entrepreneurs, as well as those who support innovation and entrepreneurship in the community.

Trent University will be well represented at the Prosperity Trade Show by John Knight, manager of Corporate Research Partnerships for the Office of Research; Nataly Woolfrey, director of the internship program for Trent’s Business Administration students; Cammie Jaquays, faculty supervisor for the business internship program and entrepreneurship lecturer at Trent; and Kristi Kerford, director of Trent’s Career Centre for students.

“This year will be the second time that Trent has participated in the Innovation Zone, and it will be a good chance to share what we do with the community and to build our relationships with the business community,” Mr. Knight said. “When you have opportunities for strong business-to-business networking, then you have a strong community.”

Trent University’s booth at the Innovation Zone will offer community members the chance to learn more about fascinating research projects led by faculty and students, many of which are underway in cooperation with local start-up companies at the GPIC’s Cube, located at Trent. Visitors at the Trade Show will also receive information about Trent’s Business Administration program, which provides placements to third-year students at local organizations, and the Career Centre, which has built strong relationships with local businesses.

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For more information please contact:
John Knight, manager, Corporate Research Partnerships, Trent University
705-748-1011 ext. 7374 or johnknight@trentu.ca

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Teaching, Research and Student Engagement Point to Successful 2014/15 Year at Trent University

New academic programs, student life initiatives, and 50th anniversary events among highlights for the new school year

Wednesday, September 3, 2014, Peterborough, ON

Introductory Seminar Week (ISW) is underway at Trent University, and students, staff and faculty are preparing for a new academic year to begin on Thursday, September 4, 2014, with more than 2,000 new students, including 150 international students, welcomed to campus.

TRENT INTRODUCES NEW ACADEMIC PROGRAMS FOR 2014-2015:
The educational opportunities offered at Trent University contribute to students’ success after they graduate. 88% of Trent students are employed within six months of graduation, and that rate increases to 92% two years after graduation. New reports from the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) show that Ontario graduates also earn an average salary of $43,000 within their first 6 months in the workforce, increasing to $49,000 after two years. Data also shows that a university experience geared toward developing critical thinking abilities supports civic engagement, with graduates more likely to vote, start a business, donate, and volunteer.

Bachelor of Social Work Program Launches at Trent University Oshawa
The new Bachelor of Social Work program will prepare graduates with the knowledge and skills for meaningful professional practice in a wide range of social work contexts. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum grounded in social justice, human rights and cultural awareness, students will develop a strong foundation of clinical knowledge, critical thinking skills, and social responsibility. Trent also extends a warm welcome to Dr. Tara La Rose, who joins the Social Work program in Oshawa this fall. Prof. La Rose most recently taught at York University’s School of Social Work, and has extensive experience in the field, having worked as a counselor with the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, and as a child protection social worker with the Peel Children’s Aid Society in Brampton among many other experiences.
A View from the Top:Watch this stunning aerial video of Trent’s beautiful campus, taken using the latest drone camera technology. YouTube.com
Human Resources Certificate Will Help Build the Organizations of the Future
Trent University’s new postgraduate certificate in Human Resource Management begins this month at the Thornton Road Campus in Oshawa. The program provides a university-level focus on human resource skills and encourages students to understand and question the evolving nature of how companies organize and lead people. Faced with constant adaptation to change, businesses today need smart, versatile human resources professionals who can assemble teams and bring out their best. Trent’s postgraduate program is designed to provide professional development that will prepare graduates for career success, especially for students focused on a future of employment in one of Ontario’s most highly-developed economic centres. Oshawa and the Durham Region have a strong manufacturing sector undergoing rapid diversification and a young, skilled labour force poised to lead local and regional organizations into the future.

New Kinesiology Program in Partnership with UOIT
Trent University is collaborating with the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) to deliver a comprehensive new program in Kinesiology, the scientific study of human movement with a focus on prevention of injury and chronic disease. Students will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a kinesiology practitioner, able to prescribe individualized exercise programs to improve or maintain the health, functional capacity and well-being of a range of healthy and clinical populations. Fourth-year Kinesiology students will have the opportunity to apply for internship opportunities. After completing the program, Kinesiology graduates will be prepared to write the competency exam to become a registered kinesiologist in Ontario’s regulated health profession.

GETTING THEIR HANDS DIRTY: LEARNING BY DOING
Through experiential education and hands-on research opportunities, students are encouraged to get their hands dirty working in the field, alongside their professors. Trent’s internationally-recognized faculty members ask big questions, and work with their students, to find the answers. The following are a few examples of cutting-edge research being undertaken this fall by faculty and graduate students.

How Do Children Develop Math and Language Skills?
Dr. Nancie Im-Bolter, associate professor of Psychology at Trent University Oshawa, is leading a new research project aimed at discovering developmental pathways among language, numeracy and executive function in young children. Along with Dr. Brenda Smith-Chant, Dr. Cathy Bruce and co-investigators at Ryerson University and the University of Toronto, Prof. Im-Bolter received close to $400,000 over four years to study how various skills develop in young children and contribute to their long-term cognitive, language and mathematical abilities. The knowledge gained through the study will help to identify the skills that processes that are critical for language and math success, which will support improved educational assessment and intervention for children at risk for learning difficulties. Both graduate and undergraduate students will have the opportunity to assist Prof. Im-Bolter in practical aspects of the study, providing them with valuable research experience.

Challenging The Way We Think About Food Production
Sinking their hands into the soil of Trent’s groundbreaking Sustainable Agriculture Experimental Farm, professors and students are taking learning to a whole new level. The farm, a 33-acre living laboratory located right on Trent’s Symons Campus, was started by Dr. Mehdi Sharifi, Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Agriculture, and a professor in Trent’s new Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems program. With funding provided by an NSERC Engage grant, Prof. Sharifi and his students work together to cultivate the land and have exceptional hands-on experiences. Currently, they are working to challenge the way we think about the food we eat. “Most conventional agriculture educational programs focus on food production, but the marketing, social and environmental sustainability aspects may be missing,” said Prof. Sharifi. The Trent farm is currently growing two varieties of quinoa, a relatively new crop in Ontario. Prof. Sharifi hopes to find ways of improving organic quinoa production as a sustainable food source, providing supplies for local cafes while teaching his students about the production, social, economic and environmental aspects of the field.

Researching the Most Effective Ways to Teach Math
Dr. Cathy Bruce challenges the way we think about math education. An associate professor in Trent’s School of Education and Professional Learning, Professor Bruce coordinates and instructs the mathematics program, helping teacher candidates better understand math, not only preparing them to teach the subject, but also to really enjoy it. This year, she has also embarked on a new research project, funded by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), aimed at further understanding of the development of children’s spatial reasoning and its role in mathematics learning. Math is a crucial area of learning for young children, yet in Canada, there has been limited research of mathematics education in the early years. With studies showing that math is the best early predictor of student success, Prof. Bruce will research effective teaching strategies to enhance mathematics learning and allow teachers to help their students succeed.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
Academics are just one aspect of the collaborative learning experience at Trent. Outlined below are some examples of innovative student engagement programs, resources and services offered to students at Trent to enrich their undergraduate experience.

Colleges: Providing a Social and Intellectual Home for Students
Trent colleges are an integral part of the student experience, and the University is continuing to expand the events, programs and supports that help new students feel closely connected to their college community. Each of Trent’s colleges welcomes new staff this fall, including a team of four college life facilitators at each of Gzowski, Otonabee, Champlain and Lady Eaton Colleges. The facilitators will assist in ensuring that the colleges are warm and welcoming places for on- and off-campus students, and act as students’ first resource in accessing the many services and opportunities available to them at Trent. This year, more of the college staff are students themselves, including the new college life programmers, who assist students in networking with alumni and faculty.

ISW Welcomes 2,000 New Trent Students to Symons Campus in Peterborough
Introductory Seminar Week (ISW) 2014 runs from Sunday, August 31 to Friday, September 5 and is intended to help new students connect with each other, their interdisciplinary college communities, Trent University as a whole, and with the City of Peterborough. Helping to make ISW 2014 an outstanding experience for new students, almost 200 senior students, faculty and staff dedicate their time and work together to coordinate and run the various dynamic events. Highlights include the Opening Ceremony, featuring a colourful march of students from their respective colleges to Justin Chiu Stadium led by a bag piper; the Trent Carousel, a new event pairing first-year students with student leaders to provide insights on Wellness, Human Rights & Equity, the First Peoples House of Learning, and more; and the new Trent Think Tank, offering students the chance to connect through literature and film and experience a faculty-led seminar before classes begin.

International Students Welcomed Back at TIP Camp
150 new international students from around the world joined 20 upper year international and Canadian Trent students at Trent International Program (TIP) Camp 2014. This long-standing and unique program provides new international students with information to assist them in successfully transitioning to university studies at Trent and life in Peterborough. No other university in Canada does a three-day orientation program of this kind. At Trent, the inclusive environment that every student should experience is made a reality through TIP Camp.

Exploring Diversity Through Trent World Day
Organized by Trent students and the Trent International Program, Trent World Day focuses on the many nationalities on campus. Activities are intended to both celebrate international diversity, and to educate the Trent community about the range of cultures represented among our students.

Streamlining Textbook Orders at the Bookstore
The Trent Bookstore is offering new options this year to enhance the student experience. With the support of the TCSA and several university offices, the Bookstore is offering a ‘move-in’ program, allowing students to pick up their books on move-in day at their college. The new program will help to make first-year students feel welcome and will also assist with line-ups during September.

Official Opening of the Trent in Durham Tipi
Trent University Oshawa is proud to announce the installation of a traditional tipi on the Oshawa campus grounds. “Our goal is to enhance the awareness of Aboriginal history and culture to all students at the Trent Oshawa campus and ensure our current and future indigenous students feel their culture is represented,” said Justin Fisher, director of student affairs for Trent University Oshawa. “I believe, along with meaningful indigenous events, the tipi will have a significant influence on creating a positive and inclusive environment.” Trent would like to thank the First People’s House of Learning, the Baagwating Community Association and Alderville First Nation for ensuring the success of this initiative.

Expanded Food Options at the Trent Oshawa Café
Mr. Raymond Lu and Chef Jimmy Zeng are the new Food Service providers at Trent University Oshawa, with the new Trent Café opening this month. The new providers were selected from a bidding process using criteria such as quality and variety of food, price, and service model, and reviewed by a committee consisting of student representatives from TOSA, staff, and an outside consultant. The Trent Café will offer a more diverse menu including salad and steam tables, sushi, and hot entrée options, as well as longer hours of operation, and an enhanced customer experience.

CELEBRATING A MILESTONE: TRENT’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Trent University invites the entire community to join alumni, students, staff and faculty in celebrating its history and its future at a series of special fall events:
Watch Trent’s 50th Anniversary Video:Celebrating 50 years of personal, purposeful and transformative learning. Trentu.ca/Fifty
“Ron Thom and the Allied Arts”: free panel discussion on Thursday, September 11, exploring the life’s work of Ron Thom, master planner of Trent University. Featuring distinguished speakers including architect Bill Lett Sr., who worked with Mr. Thom on the design of Trent’s campus, the panel is part of the national coast-to-coast traveling exhibit “West Coast Points East: Ron Thom and the Allied Arts”, hosted at Alumni House until October 19.

Chancellor’s Gala: Dr. Don Tapscott, chancellor of Trent University, will welcome 400 special guests to celebrate Trent's past, present and future at the Chancellor’s Gala to celebrate 50 years of excellence on Friday, October 17. With bestselling author and Trent alum Linwood Barclay as MC, guests will be entertained with live music from “now and then”, and inspired by remembering 50 years of personal, purposeful and transformative learning.

50th Anniversary Community Parade & Celebration – Saturday, October 18, 2014 Trent will re-create the University’s original opening ceremonies held 50 years ago at the Community Parade & Celebration on Saturday, October 18, from Trinity Church to Rubidge Retirement Home, the original building for the University. To thank the community of Peterborough for a wonderful partnership, the parade will include family-friendly activities, gifts, live pop music, and discounts at local restaurants for attendees.

“Trent @ 50: In Story and Song”: Students, friends, alumni and many celebrity guests will put on a unique show at Showplace Performance Centre on Saturday, October 18, written by Beth McMaster and directed by Gillian Wilson.

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